🚕 Essential by Christophe Emerges as NYC’s New French Fine Dining Gem

Good Morning NY!

Santo Taco has opened its second location in Greenwich Village at 94 University Place. The 1,400-square-foot space features communal tables, banquettes, and counter seating. Signature tacos include steak trompo and shrimp with salsa macha, complemented by margaritas, micheladas, and mezcal-infused aguas frescas coming soon.

Wild Cherry debuts in the West Village inside A24’s Cherry Lane Theatre. Chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr offer seafood starters, lobster club sandwiches, monkfish kebabs, and indulgent desserts. The space combines cinematic nostalgia with playful design, while cocktails and natural wines, including the standout Scorpion Bowl, elevate the experience.

Williamsburg’s Johnny’s is spotlighting chifa, the Peruvian-Chinese fusion cuisine. Signature dishes under $30 include charcoal-roasted pollo a la brasa, lomo saltado, and kam lu wontan. Craft cocktails like frozen Pisco Sours and chicha morada slushies make the menu vibrant, all served in an artful, lively setting.

Essential by Christophe on the Upper West Side is redefining French fine dining. Chef Christophe Bellanca’s menu blends classic French precision with subtle American and Asian influences. Dishes include frog legs from Louisiana, king crab with foie gras custard, and glazed squab, with prix-fixe menus from $175–$255.

Drew Nieporent warns NYC fine-dining prices are “out of hand,” noting tasting menus now can exceed $1,000 for two — far above the $16 prix-fixe menu he offered in 1985.

Santo Taco Brings Its Flavor to Greenwich Village

Santo Taco, the beloved Nolita taqueria, has officially opened its second location in Greenwich Village.

The new spot is located at 94 University Place, at East 12th Street, and welcomed diners on October 18, 2025.

This 1,400-square-foot space features a more spacious dining area than the original, with communal tables, counter seating, and cozy banquettes.

Guests can enjoy the restaurant’s signature steak trompo tacos, sliced fresh from the spit, alongside new creations like shrimp tacos with salsa macha.

In addition to food, the Greenwich Village location plans to offer margaritas, micheladas, and mezcal-infused aguas frescas in the near future.

Santiago Perez, the founder of Santo Taco and co-founder of NYC favorite Cosme, brings his celebrated expertise to this new neighborhood outpost.

With its expanded space and menu, Santo Taco is ready to make a bold mark on the Greenwich Village dining scene.

Wild Cherry Brings A24’s Cinematic Flair to Dining in the West Village

A24, the acclaimed indie film studio, has made its culinary debut with Wild Cherry in Manhattan’s West Village.

The 45-seat restaurant is housed inside the historic Cherry Lane Theatre, combining film nostalgia with elevated dining.

Chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, known for Le Veau d'Or and Frenchette, have crafted the menu.

Starters include oysters, tuna crudo, and Bang’s Island mussels, showcasing fresh seafood with refined flavors.

Hearty mains feature lobster club sandwiches, roasted monkfish kebabs, and a signature cheeseburger.

Desserts range from coconut cake to a playful “steak for two” with baked potato and soft-serve.

The space, designed by Zeb Stewart, features green banquettes, limewash walls, funfair bulbs, and chequerboard floors.

Cocktails and natural wines complement the menu, with the Scorpion Bowl in vintage Murano glass standing out.

Wild Cherry blends cinematic atmosphere with creative, indulgent dining for a truly unique experience.

Williamsburg’s Johnny’s Brings Chifa to the Spotlight

Johnny’s in Williamsburg is turning heads with its elevated take on chifa, the Peruvian‑Chinese fusion cuisine.

Founded by siblings Stephanie and John Tang, the restaurant honors their father’s culinary legacy while adding modern flair.

Signature dishes like charcoal‑roasted pollo a la brasa and lomo saltado showcase bold, bright flavors and careful presentation.

Kam lu wontan arrives on a swoosh of sweet‑and‑sour sauce, combining tradition with artistic plating.

Cocktails like frozen Pisco Sours and chicha morada slushies keep the menu playful yet refined.

Remarkably, every dish is priced under $30, making high-quality chifa accessible to all diners.

The restaurant’s art-forward interior and craft cocktail program create a lively, stylish setting.

Johnny’s offers a fresh perspective on a beloved culinary tradition, proving that Peruvian‑Chinese cuisine can be both heritage-driven and distinctly modern.

It’s a must-visit destination for adventurous New York diners seeking vibrant flavors and impeccable vibes.

Essential by Christophe Shines as NYC’s New French Fine Dining Gem

The Upper West Side has a new culinary crown jewel.

Essential by Christophe, led by chef Christophe Bellanca — formerly of Joël Robuchon USA — is being hailed as the best French restaurant New York has seen in decades.

Opened in late 2022, the restaurant blends classic French precision with subtle American and Asian influences.

Dishes like frog legs from Louisiana, king crab with foie gras custard, and glazed squab showcase Bellanca’s artistry and restraint.

Prix-fixe menus range from $175 to $255, offering a refined yet accessible fine dining experience compared to Manhattan’s top-tier tasting rooms.

In a neighborhood not typically known for haute cuisine, Essential by Christophe is redefining what French dining can be in modern New York.

It’s an elegant triumph of taste, technique, and quiet confidence.

Fine Dining Prices Hit New Highs, Says NYC Restaurant Legend

Drew Nieporent, the veteran restaurateur behind some of New York’s most iconic restaurants like Nobu and Tribeca Grill, is calling out what he sees as “out of hand” menu prices across the city.

In a recent interview, Nieporent revealed that he now refuses to spend more on a meal than the $750 he pays for a New York Jets ticket.

He pointed out how his first restaurant’s prix-fixe menu in 1985 was just $16, or around $50 adjusted for today.

By comparison, many of today’s fine-dining tasting menus cost upward of $1,000 for two people.

Nieporent says inflation, labor shortages, and post-pandemic pressures have all fueled the surge.

While he admits there will always be diners who pay premium prices, he believes restaurants risk losing touch with reality.

For him, a great meal shouldn’t cost more than a night at the game.

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